Imperial Fiscal Question

Southland Times, Issue 19202, 13 November 1903, Page 2

Imperial Fiscal Question

A GERMAN VIEW*

Per United Preqa Association. By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.

BERLIN. Nov. 11

Herr Gothien. a member <jf tho Reichstag, addressing the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, said protection would materially reduce freights earned by British ships and English bankers' prolits in negotiating foreign loans. He declared that Mr Chamberlain'^ proposals were gaming ground. Ho blamed German newsapaper remarks and Gorman Customs legislation as tho chief cause of friction between the two nations. He added that the present outlook of German commercial politics was cheerless. LONDON. Nov. 11. The miners of Bellshill, Lanark-, shiro, have Vloptod a resolution unanimously supporting Mr Chamberlain's policy. The Mayor ot Birmingham explains that he accepted the chairmanship of tlw Cecil-Churchill meeting on condition that only Unionists were to speak, but tickets had been distributed to persons irrespective of political parties. He admits that the organiser of the meeting is the Freetrade Union, whose principal officers are , Liberals. The Times says tho meetis practically a Liberal demonstration against the Unionist Government. CHAMBERLAIN FAVOURED. LONDON. Nov. 12. Received 12th. 10.51 p.m. The North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, by an overwhelming majority, endorsed Mr Chamberlain's proposals. IN THE LION'S DEN. Tne Unionist press of Birmingham has strongly uvgod that any outside interference would give Lord Cecil and Mr Churchill's meeting in the Town Kail a fictitious importance, besides being on attack on free speech. They deprecated giving a party complexion to the fiscal questions. Harriers were erected in adjoining streets and other precautions taken A good-humoured crowd of .■jiino assembled outside tho hall. MH DEAKJN'S WASHY STUFF. Th<_- Daily Ncwu, conunontinp on the forthcoming Commonwealth elections. says Mr Deakin is using ChambeXlainism as a big drum to bang at every meeting, simply because it favours protectionism. Mr Reid's policy, giving largo British preference without conditions, is perfectly straightforward, while nothing can be more unreal than the offer of Mr Dcakin and the Australian protectionists, which would create friction with foreigners without giving the smallest advantage to Britain. THIS SETTLES IT. Received 13th, 0.44 n.m. The meeting oi 4000 insido tho Birmingham Town Hall contained a large number of opposition elements, but the proceedings were o \lerly. By a great majority, the meeting carried resolutions, submitted by Mr Winston Churchill. recognising the rght of tho Government to propose retaliation in special cases, but condemning a general protective tariff, including taxes on food, as disintegrating the Kmpire and burdensome to the poor. Mr Churchill declared that he was proud of his connection with the Free Food League, and added that Mr Chamberlain was doing what he thought best for the Empire. but what about the landowners and manufacturers who were pour-ing- cheques into the Tariff League's coffers ? Was it ail for the Empire's unity a"d the workers' good ? Ho proceeded to argue that protection abroad had been a failure, especially as regards the workers. To say that protection meant greater development of wealth was an economic fallacy : to say that it meant a fairer distribution of wealth was unspeakable humbug. [ Cheers. ) j

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